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Strapless Vozz RS 1.0 Helmet review

Vozz RS 1.0 Helmet

The revolutionary Australian-designed Vozz RS 1.0 Helmet with a hinged shell and no chin strap is a high-quality, comfortable and practical helmet.

We have been testing the $888 helmet now for a couple of weeks and rate it very highly.

HOW IT WORKS

Vozz RS 1.0 Helmet

The helmet splits in two, front and back, with a hinge at the top.

There are clips on each side of the chin piece and it clicks together tightly so there is no need for a chin strap.

That means you can put it on while wearing glasses and with your gloves on.

But the main reason it has been designed this way is to make it easier and safer to remove in the event of an accident.

If a paramedic sees the helmet is different to what they normally expect, there is a little scan emblem for them to get instructions over their phone on removal procedures.

Vozz RS 1.0 Helmet
Scan for info

Basically, you press the two buttons and open the front like a door!

There may be no need to totally remove the helmet anyway, as the paramedic can now access the injured rider’s mouth for resuscitation.

VOZZ Helmet

CONSTRUCTION

Vozz RS 1.0 Helmet
Helmet and carry bag

Fresh out of the luxury soft-lined carry case with handles and zips, the helmet looks smart and high quality.

It has a Tri-Composite shell where the front is made of a combination of carbon, Kevlar and fibreglass while the rear shell is made of high-grade ABS.

The liners are not removable, but the cheek pads can be taken out to be washed and there are six fractional fittings of comfort liners with three shell sizes. So each shell size has two options for cheek pad size.

The helmet weighs 1780 grams for AS/NZ and DOT, and 1680g for ECE, which is about the same weight as most flip-up helmets.

Interestingly, the instruction manual warns not to put any stickers or paint on the helmet as they can “damage the materials used in the helmet manufacturing process” and reduce its effectiveness in a crash.

COMFORT AND FIT

VOZZ Helmet

 

The chin strap is replaced by an internal, fully adjustable rubber chin cup so it fits snugly around your head.

It’s called a “chin retention system” and while it didn’t annoy me, people with beards may have some discomfort.

Not every head is the same shape. I can’t wear an Arai, but Shoei, Bell and AGV helmets fit fine as does this one.

However, sizing may be different. I normally take a small, but they sent me a large and it is only slightly loose. I’d say a medium would be fine for me.

It feels exceptionally plush inside like any top-shelf helmet and is very comfortable.

There are no pressure points on my cheeks, top of my head or on my forehead, however I do get some pressure on my left ear only.

There are vents at the bottom and top in the front and two exhaust vents in the back.

Ventilation is very good, even in this steamy weather, probably because the protruding chin section allows plenty of space for air to circulate around your face.

OPERATION

VOZZ Helmet

It doesn’t work like a normal helmet, so even putting it on requires different procedures.

First, hold it upside down with the chin facing towards you. Open the visor and hold it by the chin piece, then push down on both latches and as you lift the helmet over your head, the rear hatch will swing open.

Then press your face into the front and push the back into place with a solid click.

The manual suggests you check the locks by trying to pull it apart and even check in your mirrors that the latches have closed.

It’s difficult to get over the paranoia of not doing up a chin strap and having the latches come open and the helmet flying off in the wind. But it hasn’t happened!

Removing the helmet is swift and easy. Use both hands to flick the latches and off it comes. No need to take off your gloves to undo the chin strap and no pulling and tugging to get it off.

It also won’t pull your earrings off, either.

However, putting the helmet on with earplugs or earphones is difficult without dislodging them. You have to carefully push your face all the way forward, being careful not to knock the earplugs out.

You can lock it to your bike with a plastic-coated chain through the chin bar.

NOISE

VOZZ Helmet

 

Vozz claims the rolled front and streamlining makes it very quiet, but there is still wind noise coming from the join behind the ear, even though the split line is sealed with rubber seals.

It feels strange to have wind noise coming from behind your ears as most helmet wind noise comes from the front.

I noticed a slight whistle from the visor, but only when you turn your head around for a shoulder check. It’s slightly louder on the right than left.

While wind noise is not as bad as most modular helmets, it is a little louder than some of the top full-face helmets.

BLUETOOTH

VOZZ Helmet

Connecting a Bluetooth communication unit to the helmet is difficult because of the rolled bottom edge, however you could stick a unit on a little higher on the front section of the helmet, just in front of the red latches.

The helmet comes with ear recesses on both sides of the join and I found it difficult to velcro the Bluetooth’s speakers into place.

Instead, I moved them further forward than the recesses and they sat at just the right place for my ears.

However, most times I take the helmet off, at least one of the speakers falls out.

Vow says there is no Bluetooth factory option “at this stage”, but they say they are continuing to “develop this type of feature”.

VISION

Vozz RS 1.0 Helmet

The anti-fog clear and 80% tinted visors included work nicely without the need for a Pinlock insert.

In fact, the helmet has better anti-misting qualities than normal full-face helmets because the chin bar is longer. That moves the visor further away from your mouth and nose.

Vozz also claims the visor is anti-scratch. We tested a small area off to the side and found it resistant to scratches with a coin.

The visor is about 2cm deeper than most, extending down nearly as low as on the Bell Bullitt, which provides plenty of vision.

This extra vision is handy when looking down at the instruments or to check whether you have forgotten to zip up your jacket pocket.

Changing the visor is easy. Click the latch and out it pops. Fitting is also simple with no need to even use the latch.

And lining up the tinted visor in the slot is also simple, even though you can’t see where it goes. Just wiggle it a little and it catches.

CONCLUSION

VOZZ Helmet

From a sheer practical point of view it is easier to take on and off while wearing your gloves and will suit people with spectacles and earrings.

From a safety perspective, it’s nice to know that the front hatch can be opened without causing spinal injuries to an injured rider.

Is the helmet worth $888? Yes. Even more expensive helmets don’t come with a spare tinted visor and luxury carry bag.

You can order it here.

  1. That all sounds splendid and I acknowledge the safety aspect and emergency removal benefits BUT in the real world I have a Sena 20s and a Drift attached to my helmet and unless I can fit all that without the speaker falling out every time as you say its not for me. Oh yeah I have beard 🙂
    Maybe the next generation will be more for me.

  2. Few questions, 1, at $800+ 90% of helmets are too composite so why have they only used abs plastic on rear, (with the split should they try using strongest materials).
    2, if liner isn’t removable what do you do when needs new because of wear and becomes loose and or smelly.
    3, how well over time do hinges and locks wear.
    4, any real world testing evidence to show helmet can withstand a proper accident.
    5, when will we see this helmet used in races such as motoGP, (we all know motoGP is the pinical and won’t use cheap garbage)
    6, if it has an uncomfortable chin cup why not keep strap.
    6, how does the helmet perform in testing and real world accidents with the big split, big holes in front for locks, I.e if I fall and land on side were lock and split is what will the out come I.e will it crack.
    7. If the visor is bigger have they used a thicker optically correct lense or still thin.
    8. How does it stand up Agenst like of Shoei x12, nxr, gtair, agv K5, corsa, arai etc.
    Also lastly where are the graphics so helmet stands out and not so BORING,

    I’m sorry but I won’t be buying one I own a Shoei x12 Marquez replica and I know that there is many many many many years of history, design, quality and engineering in their helmets, this helmet which has a top shelf price but lacks the top shelf quality that is basic for many many helmets I.e removable, washable liner, quality shel not week pathetic abs plastic, can’t fit accessories.
    The makers need to look at all the points about and lift their game if they want to charge the $800+ cost. Hell if I want an abs plastic helmet I’ll go buy a $200 agv K3sv.

    1. All good points. I think the only really selling point is that you can wear it on and off without messing with your hair. For some, like me, is a bit point. But cannot compromise on safety. We need to know it can withstand a lateral crash and the material used is poor when compared with a Bell Race Star all carbon and fiberglass at the same price

  3. I first saw this helmet on the inventors show on the ABC some years ago, while I thought it an interesting idea my impression was that it was more for jockeys and other such sports than for motorcyclists.
    I’d be willing to give it a go if they integrated a Bluetooth system for that price.
    I have a suggestion for them that would improve the fit of the helmets and increase sales,
    Get people to place an order and send them a box with a double walled bag in it filled with a gel that sets like rubber, the prospective buyer would place the bag over their head and pull it tight so it contacts all the surfaces of the face and skull and then click a little disk that causes the gel to set. They then send the mould of their skull to Voss and Voss use it to make a tailored helmet.

    1. HI Al,
      That’s an interesting idea, but I’d be worried people would asphyxiate themselves or, being motorcycle riders, make a cast of their family jewels and post that back!
      Cheers,
      Mark

      1. Volvo don’t make motorcycles so there are no Volvo riders to worry about, although some of the HD crowd may resemble your remark.
        I left out the suggestion that the bag should be helmet shaped with a large breathing hole as I thought anyone who could read and ride a bike would have intelligence enough to figure out that it should have a breathing hole.

  4. Watching an F1 car development video from the 1980’s and I am sure the driver had a strapless helmet. Beatrice was the car and Alan Jones the test driver.

  5. I’ve had my Vozz for about 3 weeks now. While I don’t have electronics in it, I do have a beard, usually unkempt hair, and arthritic hands, and I love the Vozz. The chin strap is not at all uncomfortable, the fit is comfortable, the visor is easy to work, and the vents do their job. The technique of donning and latching the Vozz must be learned, just look at the manual. Then you’ll be set for 2 or 3 seconds on, split second off. I doubt my Shoei modular will get many more miles, though my dirt helmet will continue in service – until Vozz comes out with one in that style. Did I mention that the Vozz exceeds expectation, and I like it a lot.

  6. I have a vozz helmet got it in Australia while on a visit its the best helmet i have owend very comfortable not much noise easy to remove in a emergency and so easy to put on .i would recommend it to any one

  7. As a life support and human factors specialist, associated with aerospace cranial protection applications, I note one serious omission in not only the official VOZZ descriptive data, but in all the reviews individuals have submitted: any information about what head shape the helmet is best suited for. As some know, circumferential sizing is important, but almost equally important is ‘head shape’. The recognised head shapes that predominate are 1) the long oval, 2) the medium oval, 3) the ‘neutral’ and 4) the round. European head shapes tend to favor the round type, whilst North American shapes tend to predominate in the oval range. Thus designing a helmet for both head shape AND circumferential sizing are equally important ergonometric considerations. I am waiting for VOZZ Helmets to declaim their RS 1.0’s primary head shape. I am also waiting for some experts to review the helmet (rather than the typical “Dude, it fits me” type declamation we read all too frequently).

  8. When I first saw my riding instructor putting on his VOZZ helmet I was amazed. I was then getting my licence after riding for 30 years and haven only ridden on tracks and in the dirt I had my dirt bike helmet on and was looking for some advice on a road helmet so when I saw how effortlessly the instructor put his on and took it off I was sold.
    I quizzed him hard about everything I should when looking at a new helmet.
    Fit, weight, wind noise/fog resistance, ease of use and of course safety. The instructor gave it a big thumbs up saying while it was much bigger than normal helmets not having a chin strap and being able to take it off with his gloves on was worth it.
    The helmet he had was quite large and was the medium.
    I went to a local store who sold them and spoke to the bloke there who also raved on about them, he had non in stock in my size but let me try his on. I was a different feel but it felt good on.
    I asked when he could get on in for me and he said it would take a little bit.
    As I was eager to get a road helmet as I had just bought a road bike and was sick of the wind catching my visor/wind/goggle ordeal I jumped online and started searching them up.
    I read a heap of reviews, checked out their facebook page and read what people had to say there. I then came across a discount code for a VOZZ helmet for only $400 (down from $649) so I placed an order.
    I was sent an email stating that that deal was no longer available (2018 summer December doesn’t count haha) anyway I got the helmet for $600 and eagerly awaited its arrival.
    After a week I got the helmet and upon opening it I saw just how big the XL helmet was. I was so big… Unfortunately I could instantly see a number of paint imperfections including a ding on the top of the helmet. I contact Vozz and they asked me for pics and then to send it back. Another week and a half and I was sent another helmet. This time there was no issues with the paint work so I followed the instructions to fit the helmet to my head which was a simple procedure.
    I got on my bike as soon as the weather permitted and the first thing I noticed was how much wind noise there was. I was shocked. This noise was intense. Worse than wearing no helmet at all.
    The noise seemed to be coming in through where the helmet sealed.
    I contacted Vozz again and they said that they had never had this issue before and asked me to see if I could see light coming through the helmet.
    I could, I also did a number of tests with duct tape, I taped small sections to try eliminate the wind. it only subsided when I taped the whole thing…
    I again was asked to send it back and was offered a refund or another helmet. I explained my situation and how I needed a helmet fast so opted for another to be sent. I boxed up the helmet and sent it off as soon as I could expecting that Vozz would do the same given previous issues and knowing that I needed the helmet to ride. this wasn’t the case. they again waited days after getting the old helmet.
    As I had my licence booked in I ended up buying another helmet and requesting a refund of the helmet and all postage costs. Really a shame as I was so keen for this to be everything it claimed to be. Just too much stuffing around and waiting… I want to ride!
    Maybe I will give them another go when the 2.0 comes out.

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